Relationship between essential hypertension and genetic polymorphism of angiotensin converting enzyme gene and angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor gene

Objective The present study was designed to explore the relationship between essential hypertension (EH) and the genetic polymorphism of angiotensin converting enzyme(ACE) gene (insertion/deletion) and angiotensin Ⅱtype l receptor(AT1R) gene as well as multiple risk factors. Methods 125 normotensives(control) and 148 hypertensives selected for the study were arranged to take questionnaire, physical examination and blood biochemical tests. The I/D polymorphism of ACE gene was analyzed by PCR, and the A1166C polymorphism of AT1R gene was analyzed by PCR and restriction enzyme digestion. Data were analyzed with logistic regression for the screening of hypertension risk factors. Results There was no significant difference in both of the frequency of DD genotype and D allele between the EH group and the control group. The frequencies of AC genotype (23.0%) and C allele (11.5%) among EH group were significantly higher than those among the control group (12.8% 6.4% respectively). The frequency of combined genotype of DD (as in ACE gene) and AC (as in AT1R gene) was 7.4% in EH group, significantly higher than that of the control group (1.6%).The results of multifactor logistic regression showed that BMI,EH family history and DD+AC combined genotype of DD and AC were the main risk factors of EH. Conclusion The D allele of ACE gene may not relate to essential hypertension. The A1166C polymorphism of ATlR gene is probably an important genetic factor in essential hypertension. The DD+AC combined genotype of ACE and AT1R genes significantly accelerate the development of essential hypertension.